The Surprising Smell of Space

Finally, let's bring the whole experience back down to the human sensory level.

We've talked about things we can't see, things we can't hear.

What does space actually smell like? This is fact nine: the scent of the void.

Astronaut have consistently reported this: a distinct persistent odor that clings to their suits and

gear after a space walk once they get back inside and the airlock is re-pressurized. Right,

so it's not the vacuum itself, but something that hitches a ride on their suits.

Precisely. It's from the oxidized compounds left on the materials. And the descriptions

are so strangely familiar, a-almost domestic. They say it smells like burnt steak